We fiiiiinally took the time to seal our new butcher block countertop over the past couple of days.
Yesss!
We didn't stain it, (we're going to have natural-colored hardwood floors in the dining and living rooms eventually) and we don't plan to use it to chop or prepare food on, so we just used two coats of Tung Oil.
Of course we had to document the process on video.
I should forewarn you about this particular video though.
Kevin edited it while I was at the salon, and although I love him to death for putting together a super sweet video for us to look back and smile at one day, this one's not super-informative folks. (Sorry!)
But, since we're not real good about printing, dating, and organizing our photos in big, beautiful photo albums, or burning all of our video footage onto DVD's and storing them in pretty file boxes for future reference, I'll probably be very glad we created this "interactive diary" of ours when we're too old to dance a jig, or smooch through protective masks because we're sealing a countertop with stinky oil.
I am curious about one thing though.
Should I/can I do a top coat of Waterlox?
I just read a couple of fabulous blog posts about staining and Waterloxing your wood countertops, and now I'm starting to think we may want to do it to really create a super-durable surface that doesn't require any re-coating throughout the years.
Vanessa from "This and That" wrote a super-detailed post about the staining and Waterloxing of her butcher block countertop...
And Kristi from "Addicted 2 Decorating" also wrote an awesome post about staining and Waterloxing her butcher block countertops...
Those gals are smart as whips, I tell ya!
Maybe I'll call Waterlox on Monday and ask them about it.
I'm guessing it'll be okay because Waterlox is a combination of Tung Oil and Resin- but I'll let you know what I find out!
As for the wall above the countertop, I'm going to use this photo as inspiration when designing our "free-floating hutch"...
Our hutch won't be quite as "feminine" looking, but the overall concept will be the same.
And maybe the inside of ours can be painted a different color than the outside is? (The outside of our hutch will be painted "Alabaster" white to match the upper cabinets across the way.)
(Not this particular color, but maybe something fun and blue-based?)
Or maybe I should back it with some more mirrors, to reflect the natural light coming in through the window over our kitchen sink?
I'm also gonna install a couple of wall sconces like they did in the inspiration photo above too. Maybe something like these?
They're $18.00 at Lowes, and I've always liked the way they looked.
What do you think of them?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Well, there's a nasty storm rollin' into town- so I better shut this thing off for the night before the lightning shuts it off for me!
Happy weekend friend-
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68 comments:
I absolutely love my butcher block counter. We have five children who are not easy on things, but the wood is holding up very well.
Can't wait to see your interpretation of the hutch!
Your videos are so adorable I can't stand it. You two delight me. I vote you have your own tv show. I must know somebody — let me think about it. Someday, you will be so happy to have those videos to look back on.
You did a fantastic job with your countertops. We used to have butcher block counter tops and we did them the same way. If you put a polyurethane on it, you lose the more natural look and it scratches easily. We liked the way it wore naturally. Ours also got tons of love as we like to put it. With 5 kids and all their friends, pizza parties, etc., etc. It's a great surface.
I think your counter top looks great. I love the idea of the floating shelves. I think it will really bring it together with the other side of the kitchen. I can't wait to see it!
Thanks for sharing guys :)
I love the countertop..it looks great and I love, love, love the light! I can't wait to see your new progress.. OH and your roses look beautimous.. I saw them today ;o)
{{Big Hugs}} and stay safe tonight and tomorrow..
Cathy
Can I just say that I looovve you guys? You are completely adorable, and of course you have a great eye for design. Like someone else said, you need your own show. :-)
wow, your pictures are beautiful. I love the big white sink and the dark counter tops. It was a fun visit!
For sure, I love both the butcher block and the lights- only 18??? I've been wanting to track some down. Thanks!
Love the new counter tops!
Those hutch pictures are inspiring!
Who would've thought an IKEA butcher block could look so fabulous? That looks great!
I would definitely suggest the waterloxing, although I'd steer clear of anything but matte. But that's just me. The ones with sheen can be really reflective if you direct sun in the room, and it sounds like you do.
I love your inspiration picture and think it would be great to add a floating shelf in robin's egg blue or a stronger ocean blue. Distressed obviously. Whatever you end up with, I'm sure it will be the perfect thing.
As far as the sconces you posted from Lowe's, those are "gotta have 'em now" worthy. Go for it for sure.
Love the video. They're always great.
Layla and Kevin,
I absolutely adore your butcher block counters. I've debated tiling my counters or using butcher block, or as a last option using slate. While I love wood, I heard it is not durable in regards to hot pots not being able to rest on them? Do you have any knowledge about this? I'd love to be able to use them, but it scares me a bit about the idea of damaging such a beautiful space. I'd love to hear your two cents!
What an adorable video. Your benchtops look great and I think the wall sconces would look great too - what a great price!
Your counter top looks amazing and thanks for posting about the other two blogs wih more info on how to seal the wood. I would have thought having a wood counter adjacent to the sink would be a bad idea, but it seems it's just fine!
Your inspiration photo is great - luv the lights you found. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
I really like those lights Layla, they might be the way to go I reckon!
alicia
www.time-worn-style.com/blog/
Here is what I think - YOU are fabulous. I always LOVE LOVE LOVE your ideas. If I could afford it, I'd redo my entire house to be like yours. Honestly. Alas, I cannot. Shoot. But I can spend counless hours admiring yours! lol Another GREAT re-do from you and Kevin...cannot wait to see the finished product. I am living vicariously through you guys! LOL Until my kids are older and out of the house and I can spend some good quality time alone with my house and my (or rather YOUR) ideas. ;) Have a great weekend! XO
I love the sconces. I like that they are industrial looking but because of their understated shape they aren't harsh. I think they would flow well in your space. And at 18 bones?! What a deal!
We have a butcher block island and it looks wonderful 30 years later. I never cut on it, but we sealed it with a product that is food safe and leaves no sheen. We got it at Home Depot and it is specifically made for this use. I remember that it was a little pricey, but I wanted to be able to make a sandwich on it, etc., while feeling "food safe". Linda
LOVE the countertop. This is one of our next projects too. I really prefer the look over granite...truly I do. The light makes me swoon....LOVE it! Off to Lowe's today to see if I can find one...possibly for the kid's bath or a little nook in our living room. Thank you!
So many great ideas; I can't wait to see the finished product.
Hurry up, lol!
S
Your countertop looks amazing! And I cannot wait to see your version of the hutch. And I love, love those lights!
beautiful. i'm storing that hutch idea away in my files. love, love, love it.
can't wait to see the finished project.
We just put in cherry butcher block counters from Lumber Liquidators and we sealed them (without staining them) with Waterlox (we did 1 coat of the original and 2 coats of the satin). We absolutely love how they turned out! The color is fantastic, but so is the feel of the wood. It's smooth and and easy to clean.
The only downside of the Waterlox is that it is very fumy. Also, Waterlox suggests that you apply it with a lambs wool applicator, which we did, but the applicator left little fibers in the finish so we had to sand the wood before the final coat. The extra step was completely worth it, but it was still an extra step!
Good luck! The counters look great!
Love the hutch idea. I would paint the back instead of mirrors and I just love the the sconces foe each side. Perfect with all your details :)
Those lights look great and I love how you recycled the bathroom cabinets. How practical and wonderful they are now.
But where did you put that bench seat? That was very cool too!
we are in the process of using tung oil on newly laid pine floors and from what I understand about waterlox is that it is similar to poly in that it will scratch like clear fingernail polish...pure tung oil like the one made by milk paint co. is completely non toxic and still offers protection...that is what we are going with on our floors...when it wears...you just add it back in those spots...good luck!
Love your hutch idea. I was hoping you'd do something like that!
And that light...perfect. I just so happen to have that exact light as my exterior light right by my front door. I live in a condo, so all of the units have this little light, and I think they look great. I really like the idea of using them inside for a country farmhouse look.
Loving the countertop and the idea of the floating hutch. I do love that green one pictured. That light is pretty great too. Can't wait to see it all together!
We are moving into our 1901 farmhouse this next week, and I absolutely cannot wait to get in there are put butcher block counter tops! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love those lights too and the price makes them even more fun! I am going to find a place around here for one or two of them.
We had a storm here last night too and my husband and kids were sleeping in a tent out back. I slept through the whole thing nice and cozy inside. They came in after the first big thunder blast.
LOVE butcher block counter tops! I am so glad that more people are starting to use them. I am getting tired of seeing granite and marble everywhere. Butcher block is such a nice alternative. And being wood, you can do anything to it. Stain it any color you want, seal it however you want. And if it happens to get scratched up, you can always sand it down and refinish it later on. And if you don't want to put hot pots and pans on it for fear of burning it, that gives you a good excuse to use cute trivets!!
Can't wait to see what else you guys do! Your ideas sounds perfect! :)
It all looks wonderful. I vote for the mirror behind the hutch top. You have added valuable storage to your kitchen...a great selling factor for one future day
Watching with great interest because I am just starting our kitchen reno. Everything looks great!
The butcher block counter looks fantasic really. I know absolutely nothing about staining and coating and all that, but it's fun to watch you guys trying to figure it out! The open hutch top is a great idea! I would do a paint color instead of more mirrors because the mirrors reflexing off eachother may make it look cluttered. I love your kitchen and my husband and I have decided to paint our cabinets because of you guys! Thanks.
I have always loved those lights from Lowes. Never had a place to use them but now we are adding a 1/2 bath and I'm thinking what you're thinking! I like the idea of the mirrors bouncing light but also the additional pop of another color so maybe just simple framed mirrors leaned up behind stuff? Hope you weathered the storm ok, it was loud here!
Hi Guys.
The countertops look AMAZING!!
Love the finish on them.
I also think the lights are so perfect for your space. I am lovin them so much ( and the price) that I am going to try them outside on my porches.
You always have the best ideas and are so perfect at getting beautiful looks for so much less,
that is truely where your talent and creativity shines.
Sometimes I think the more you have to spend on something, it takes away from all the fun and experimenting partof making a budget work.
Happy Weekend to you. geri.
Love the hutch idea for over the butcher block countertop. I think it would look gorgeous! Can't wait to see what you guys come up with. Have a wonderful weekend! :)
You guys are SO cute! :)
Oh my goodness. Love the hutch idea. Love the mirror inside idea. Love the wall sconces. Why do I not have a pair of those? $18 is irresistible! Thanks for sharing all your great ideas.
Ahhh!!! What a sweet little video!
When are we going to hear about how you and Kevin met or have I missed it?
I had the little galvanized light from Lowes in my kitchen, you can't beat it for the price!
i love his editing. that was an adorable movie. it made sealing butcher block seem like a trailer for a movie.
i love the floating hutch & the lights from lowe's. can't wait to see it all come together!
i just finished a 10 month renovation of a foreclosure- top to bottom, everything came out.... except the gorgeous hardwood floors we found underneath layers and layers of icky flooring.
we used waterlox, and it was the greatest thing ever. super easy to put on, and the result was unbelievable. one of the major things that made me feel like we could finally move in!
bonus- the way water and spills just bead up on the floor (we used it in the kitchen too). even grease and oil come right up with no problem and no stains.
All of this butcher block talk is making me think we might actually be able to do our counter tops ourselves. I LOVE what you've done with your whole home. It's been an inspiration! And I just had an Aha! moment when the last poster mentioned waterlox on hardwood floors because we are getting ready to start sanding our long covered-up floors soon.
I saw those sconces at Lowes last night and fell in love with them....and actually thought of you....then I see them on your post today! crazy.
I am definitely going to get me some of them!
Love your blog!...your designs...and you two are adorable!
I was wondering why I had gotten so many comments today on my countertops! Thanks for the shout out! I love the hutch idea as well as the lights. I'm hoping to use those for a bathroom design I'm working on. Stay safe today usually whatever yall get we get just a little later in Auburn.
Thanks for the info about Waterlox. We plan to buy IKEA butcher block for our kitchen in the near future.
Y'all are SO cute!!!! I love the butcher block counters at this site
http://acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com/
Not sure what they used but I know it will be on the blog....they are GORGEOUS!!!
Two thumbs up for the Lowe's lighting/sconces! Love your blog!
Oh which talent you have! It is wonderful! I write you of France and I admire your realizations!
Accept my friendship with simplicity
Marylin
Awesome info on the butcher block counters. That hutch is going to be fantastic. I can't believe what you have done with an existing kitchen.
I adore that style of light fixture and actually bought two in brushed nickel 2 weeks ago for our basement stair pantry also for a ridiculous price from Rona here in Canada. I can't wait to hang em!
Layla...Because you don't have a sink or water source you won't need to waterlox your counter. Our butcher block is just waxed with bees wax...we use it everyday...and don't have a prob with water stains at all.
I also installed that same light when we did our laundry room...love it. Best bang for the buck!
Wow, Layla! This post rocks my world!! You are awesome! If I were a guy, I'd totally want to do you. :) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the information in this post! :)
I just found your blog when you were featured on The Pioneer Women and you two are just the cutest things ever! I love you both.
Sadie at heyMamas
I could stare at those butcher block counter tops for days- I LOVE yours & the pictures from Vanessa and Kristi's- my word, they are to die for.
Happy Spring!
It looks so purdy, Layla! I love it! A wooden countertop is on my to do list for one of these years - I just love them!
I also really like where you are headed with the open area above the butcher block. A free floating hutch will be beautiful!
I LOVE those sconces...go for it!
Please let me know what you find out about this Waterlox product! I've never heard about it...and we too have natural butcher block counters in our kitchen.
Also, I LOVE the Lowe's light fixture alot! I have them on all our outdoor lights. Plus I just installed one in our sons new room as a sconce. They go with so many looks and they're an amazing value!! (I have to admit that I ordered the SAME one, from Barn Light Electric for $99(!), a few mths ago, for our guest bathroom. I had to b/c at the time, Lowe's didn't have them. And I needed this fixture fast!....but I was relieved when they were back in stock at Lowes, when my sons room was finished!)
I LOVE the counter top girl! And I love some of the inspiration photos you picked with the all white kitchens too... very sweet!
Love the sconces! I wonder how these would look/function as bedside sconces...
I have those exact sconces on my screened porch! You'll love them. They look EXACTLY like I wanted them to.
LOVE the Lowes galvanized sconces. We used them to replace some old mismatched, plastic ones that were at our beach house in Pensacola. Even though they are inexpensive they've held up well. Have a great day, Layla.
Layla and Kevin, I'm passing on an award to you. Please feel free to take it guilt free. It's a lot of work to accept these awards and you probably already have lots. Maybe even this one. But, I wanted to mention your blog because you are such an inspiration to me! Blessings
I love the sconces, but I can't find them on the site. Does anyone have the item number?
Like your sconce idea so much I went out to Lowe's tonight and bought them...only they were over $19 at our Lowe's (hrmph!) But seriously, I was telling my husband I want a couple of industrial looking galvanized sconces for reading corners in our living room but didn't know where to find them so thanks...and can't wait to see yours!
We have butcherblock countertops too, and we LOVE them. We started out sealing them with the recommended penetrating oil from Ikea. It just didn't work for us. We had to be soooo careful about water spots, spills, etc. It was far too high maintenance. Then our neighbor recommended EZ-DO Polyurethane Gel by John Boos & Company. This stuff is GREAT! It's food-safe AND super easy to apply -- just wipe on and let dry. It has a nice satin sheen that we just love. We even let clean dishes dry on the counters (with a towel underneath) and the countertops are just fine. I highly recommend it!
that is my dream...to have butcher block for my counter tops. Yours look beautiful!
In what department do you find the light fixtures at Lowes?
I looked today and could not find them :(.
Cindy, did you look in the outdoor lighting section? I had some trouble finding them until I looked there. Think porch lights.
:)
They are going in my kids bathroom, and I can't wait.
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